KING - Aug. 14, 1981. That’s a date that is never far from author Rod Cate, who is also a lawyer and a South Stokes High School graduate.
It was on that day in a scrimmage with the varsity football team that the 15-year-old’s life changed forever. He was a rising sophomore who aspired to play sports in college, but a tackle where he led with the crown of his helmet resulted in a broken neck. Since then, however, he’s never said ‘why me’ or complained about what could have been.
He’s a successful lawyer in Alabama and has recently written his second book. South Stokes High School alumnus Rod Cate (left) smiles as Jim McGee presents him with t-shirts he had printed with Cate’s name and jersey number for a book launch and signing event for Cate’s new book, “Climb Back Up,” on Friday at StoCo Provision Co. in King.
McGee and Cate grew up together. “Climb Back Up” is a book he wrote profiling about 30 people who have overcome adversity in some sort of fashion. The book stems from his successful podcast he started a couple of years ago, and the time to write the book was now.
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“We need uplifting things in this world, and I hope this book sheds some light and gives folks a chance to read about overcoming adversity,” said Cate, 58, who was in King last week for a book signing and to see many of his former high-school football teammates. Cate signs a copy of his new book, “Climb Back Up,” on Friday. Cate’s first book that cam.
